Eye team puts focus on safety as service unlocks
EYE health experts in Stockport are teaming up to help improve the sight of local residents – and especially the many who suffer from cataract or whose treatment was on hold during lockdown.
Owner and optician, Nicola Riding from Ridings Opticians in Marple, is enthusiastic to welcome patients back to the safe environment of her practice.
She says: “We want to reassure patients that a number of changes have been made since lockdown to keep them and our staff safe.
“We are able to help now with everything from fixing spectacles, to eye tests and referral for treatment of eye conditions.
“Many people suffer from cataracts, and we are working in partnership with local specialist eye hospital Optegra to treat NHS cataract patients there much more quickly than if they were referred to the local NHS hospital.
“So please do not delay speaking to us if your symptoms - including cloudy vision or glare from bright lights – are disturbing your sight, as we can start the process straight away to secure your treatment as quickly as possible.”
Ridings Opticians refer 95 per cent of their cataract patients to Optegra, as well as those needing help with age-related macular degeneration, macular hole or retinal problems.
Nicola said: “We have worked closely with Optegra Manchester for over five years and have had fantastic feedback from our patients. It is wonderful to be able to offer NHS treatment to our patients within a stunning private hospital environment and, most importantly, with reduced waiting times.
“A lot of patients seem to think their wait will now be over six months because of the lockdown delays, but actually we can secure treatment with Optegra within 4-6 weeks.”
An eye consultation with Ridings Opticians can be arranged by telephoning the practice.
Patients will notice a number of changes when they arrive, including provision of face masks and hand sanitizer. Staff will all be in suitable PPE, Perspex screens are in place, seating is distanced and all equipment and spectacle frames are thoroughly disinfected and cleaned throughout every day and after each patient.
Ridings Opticians have even invested in new technologies so that essential eye tests and measurements can be made without the optician having to get too close to the patient.
If referral to Optegra Eye Hospital Manchester – based in Didsbury – is needed, patients will likewise there be protected with PPE, temperature checks on arrival, social distancing, thorough deep sanitising of all equipment and minimal contact with other patients.
In order to protect other patients and staff, both ask that patients with any Covid-19 symptoms re-arrange for a later date.
However, Nicola Riding encourages even those who are shielding to get in touch, so advice can be given over the phone if there are eye health or vision problems.
She says: “If you have been thinking about cataract surgery during lockdown or have noticed early symptoms, or that your symptoms are getting worse, we want to get you checked.”